Trunk.



No. 826,436. PATBNTED JULY 17, 1906.

' L. LIEBERMAN.

TRUNK.

APPLIGATION rmm JAILSO, 1905.

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LEON LIEBERMAN, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

TRUNK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

Application filed January 30,1905. Serial No. 243,379.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON LIEBERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in trunks, and more particularly to certain improvements on the structure disclosed in my Patent No. 782,671, issued February 14, 1905, application filed October 1, 1904, Serial No. 226,843.

The object of the invention is the provi-' sion of means for normally supporting a trunk-tray within a trunk in the desired closed position and for lifting said tray to a raised position when the trunk is opened, the

same means employed for supporting and elevating the tray also serving to limit the degree to which the trunk-lid may be opened..

Another object of the invention is to provide peculiarly-constructed stationary means which is capable of not only supporting the tray-lifting means, but also of supporting a tray in a stationary position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means similar to that disclosed in my original application for lifting the tray, but such means as is disclosed in the present case being capable of positioning the tray higher when the trunk is opened.

While I have mentioned a few of the obj ects of my invention, it will be obvious that the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of one of the ends of a trunk and its lid, to which is secured one of the tray-lifting devices constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tray-lifting device as illustrated in Fig. 1, one of said devices being secured at each end of a trunk and to its lid when it is desired to provide a trunk with tray-lifting and lid-limiting means. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of a tray-lifting in a folded position. Fig. 4 view taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 indicates any ordinary type of trunk provided with the usual hinged lid 2. At each end of the trunk 1 is arranged an approximately Z-shaped transverse tray-supporting member 3, fixed to the respective end of the trunk and carrying two or more pivotally-mounted angular or curved links 4 4, constituting standards, the upper ends of which links pivotally carry a bar 5, sustained at all times parallel to member 3, the said bar 5 by its pivotal connection with the links 4 and their pivotal connection with the bar 3 being free to move vertically toward and away from member 3, the said member 5 being shown in its uppermost position in Figs. 1 and 2 and in itslowered position in Fig. 3.. The bar 5 is preferably provided with a plurality of notches 6 6 in its upper edge adapted to receive hooks carried by the end of a tray, as illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification of my Patent N 0. 782,671 hereinbefore referred to, whereby said tray is designed to be supported upon the bar 5 there being a bar 5 at each end of device shown is a sectlonal the tray. vA rivet 7, constituting a shaft,'

connects the upper or outer end of each link 4 with the bar 5. Interposed between each of the links 4 and bar 5 upon shafts 7 is a spacing member 8, which may be a washer. Arranged between the upper end of links or standards 4 4 and bar 5 upon shafts 7 7 of each device secured at each end of a trunk is a bar 9, which is spaced from bar 5 by means of the spacing members 8 S. The bar 9 adds strength and rigidity to the parts.

Between the rear link 4 and the rear end of the bar 5, and preferably interposed between bar 5 and the spacing member 8, is pivoted an eccentric plate or disk 10, which is provided with a stop 11, limiting said plate or disk from rotation in the wrong direction. The stop 11 may be a lug or other suitable means projecting laterally from the disk. A link 12 pivotally engages the eccentric plate or disk 10 at a point off center with respect to the pivotal connection of said plate or disk with the link 4 and bar 5. The rear end of the link 12 is pivotally connected to the side wall of the top or cover 2. The eccentrio-carried link 12 is bent intermediate its ends at 12 for positioning the outer portion of said link in the same vertical plane in which the rear link 4 is positioned when the parts are folded, as illustrated in Fig. 3. It will be obvious upon referring to Figs. 1 and 2 that bar 5 is considerably longer than bar 9 and by this construction a more practical tray-support is provided.

The substantially Z-shaped shield or plate 3, constituting the transverse supporting member, is preferably riveted to each end wall of the trunk-body to which the upright curved stays or links are fastened, as well as the rear stop 1.3. The substantially Z- shaped member comprises a vertical central body portion provided with two flanges projecting therefrom in opposite directions.

The top flange 3 rests on the edge of the body of the trunk and is secured thereto by suitable fastening means being positioned within the apcrtured portions 3 thereof. Fastening means for securing the supporting member in position may also be positioned within the apertures 3*, formed in the body of the substantially Z-shaped transverse member 3. The lower flange 3 of the sub stantially Z -shaped transverse member is wider than the upper flange 3 and projects sufficiently to lay one or more trays thereon.

It will be obvious that the shield or trans- 'verse plate 3, which is provided with the two and 3 provides means for.

projections 3 quickly securing the device to a trunk and in a correct position, obviating the necessity of using a rule or measure, the top or small projection 3 normally resting on the upper edge of the body of a trunk. The lower extension 3 also obviates the necessity of placing in the trunk a wooden transverse stick, as is ordinarily done with a trunk of the common type. The transverse supporting member 3 when resting against the end of the trunk and lapping over the top edge thereof serves as a shield or a guard for preventing of the lining or duck 1 on the inside edge and end of the trunk from being torn, and consequently the members 3 when positioned with- .in a trunk not only perform their function as a tray-support or a support for a tray-lifting mechanism, but also prevents to a great degree the destruction of the inner edge of the body of the trunk.

A stop or bracket 13, approximately triangular in form, is preferably carried just in the rear of the rearmost link 4 in position for sustaining the same in a vertical plane against further rearward movement. The stop 13, which is preferably secured to the rear end of the substantially Z-shaped member 3, is of suitable thickness for engaging the rear link 4 whenever the same is brought to its vertical position.

The tray-support is duplicated at each end of the trunk in every detail, and it is therefore unnecessary to describe more than one of said devices. The curved stays or uprights, owing to their peculiar construction, are permitted to lap one upon the other, thereby permitting of a tray to be positioned higher when the trunk is opened, as hereinbefore stated. It will be noticed that each of the links 4 4 at each of the ends of the trunk is curvednear one of its ends. One of the links is curved at its upper end, while the other coacting link is curved at its lower end, for the reason that owing to this structure of the links the rearmost link is positioned in the same longitudinal vertical plane in which the front link lies when the parts are folded together, as illustrated in Fig. 3. It is also a fact that the bar 9, owing tothe curving of the links 4 4, is also placednear to the front link 4 when the parts are in the position depicted in Fig. 3. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that by reason of the peculiar construction of the links, which provide for swinging the tray to a higher position than is the case with an ordinary straight link, they also are susceptible of assuming a more compact position when folded, as it is afact that the two links are positioned one above the other.

In operation, assuming the parts to be in the position indicated in Fig. 3 with the lid 2 down, it is only necessary to lift the lid for causing the parts to assume the position in dicated in Fig. 1, this result being accomplished during the elevation of the lid 2 by the draft upon the links 12, which in turn elevates the eccentric plates or disks 10, and said plates or disks 10, due to their pivotal engagement with the rear link 4 and the contact of the stop 11 therewith, causes the links 4 to swing upon their pivot to a vertical position, thus raising the bars 5 and of course the bars 9. Under ordinary circumstances the stops 11 will remain in contact with the rearmost link 4 during the moving operation. When the lid 2 has been raised to the position indicated in Fig. 1, the rearmost links 4 will rest against the stops 13 and prevent further movement of the lid, whereby the parts described will serve as a stop for the lid, as well as elevating means for a'tray, the tray of course moving upwardly and rearwardly with the upward rearward movement of the bars 5.

hen it is desired to position the traylifting devices as illustrated in Fig. 3, it is only necessary to grasp the lid when in the position indicated in Fig. 1 and lower the same to a closed position. This movement will first cause the plates or disks 10 to revolve upon their pivotal connections with the links 4 until the stops 11 contact with links 12, whereupon a longitudinal movement of the links 12 occasion swinging of the links 4 upon their pivots'and the second lowering of the IIO bars 5 until the position of the parts seen in ISO bars 5, as Well as 9, have a parallel-ruler movement with respect to the points of attachment of the links supporting said bars, the said points of attachment, as illustrated, being contiguous to the ends of members 3; but of course the links 4 may be pivoted directly to the ends of the trunk and the members 3 omitted, or if it is desired to employ the members 3 the links need not be posi-- tioned to said members 3 near their ends, as said members may be made of suflicient length to extend entirely across the ends of the trunk. As above mentioned, a tray may be supported, by means of suitable hooks, between the bars 5, positioned upon the ends of the trunk, the hooks of the tray engaging notches 6 6, each of the hooks being preferably relatively narrow, as illustrated in m Patent No. 782,671, and each of the notches 6 being relatively long for permitting of the movement of the hooks within said notches longitudinally with respect to the respective bars, whereby the tray may readily accommodate itself to the various adjustments of bars 5. I use the word curved in its broad sense to include an angular structure of a link in the foregoing specification. It is also to be understood that the word link is used inthe broad sense for indicating a standard or supporting member.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of curved links pivotally mounted at each end thereof, parallel members pivotally connecting one end of each of the links at each end of the trunk, and means connecting said members with the trunk-lid.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a substantially Z-shaped member secured at each end thereof, curved links pivotally secured to each of said substantially Z-shaped mem bers, parallel members pivotally connecting one end of each of the links secured to each of the substantially Z-shaped members, and means connecting said members with the trunk-lid.

3. The combination with a trunk, of tray supporting and lifting devices carried by the ends of said trunk, each of said devices comprising a substantially 'Z-shaped transverse member, swinging members secured to said substantially Z-snaped member, and means connecting said swinging members to the lid of the trunk.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a Zshaped, transverse, supporting member secured at each end thereof, movable tray-supporting means positioned upon said Z-shaped memher, and means connecting said movable traysupporting means with the lid of a trunk.

5. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a trunk, or the like, of

curved links pivotally mounted at each end thereof, parallel members connecting the upper ends of the links mounted on each end, and eccentric members and links connecting said parallel member with the lid of the trunk.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of curved links pivotally mounted at each end thereof, parallel members pivotally connecting said links, links pivotally secured to the lid of said trunk, eccentric members of greater width than the links secured to the lid, pivotally connecting said links with the parallel members, and a tray disposed between said parallel members.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a pair of oppositely-curved links pivotally mounted at each end thereof, a bar connecting the links of each of said pairs, and eccentric disks pivotally connecting the bars with the lid of said trunk.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a substantially Z-shaped member carried by each end of said trunk, a pair of links pivotally mounted upon each of said members, a bar connecting the links of each of said pairs, an eccentric disk pivotally connected to each of said bars, and a link'pivotally connecting each of said eccentric disks with the lid of said trunk.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a pair of oppositely-curved links pivotally mounted at each end of said trunk, a bar pivotally connecing the links of each pair, an eccentric member pivotally engaging each of said bars, a link pivotally engaging each of said plates and pivotally connectedto the lid of the trunk, and a stop on each of said eccentric members for governing the movement thereof.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a transverse supporting member provided with flanges extending in opposite directions secured to each end of said trunk, a pair of curved links pivotally mounted upon each of said transverse supporting members, a bar connecting the links of each pair, a disk eccentrically mounted and engaging each of said bars, a link pivotally engaging each of said disks near the periphery thereof opposite the pivotal mounting of the disk, a stop limiting the degree of rotation of each of said disks, and a pivotal connection between each of the last-mentioned links and the lid.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a pair of curved links pivotally mounted at each end of said trunk, a stop in the rear of one of said links of each pair for limiting the rearward movement of said links, a bar connecting the links of each pair, and a link and eccentric disk connecting each of said bars to the lid of the trunk.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trunk, of a pair of curved links pivotally mounted at each end thereof, a subtantially rectangular stop arranged in the rear of. the rearmost link of each of said pairs, a bar connecting the links of each of said pairs, and an eccentric member and link connecting each of said bars with the lid of the trunk.

13. The combination with a trunk, of a transverse member provided with oppositelyeXtending flanged portions secured to each end of said trunk, the flanged portions of said member extending throughout the entire length thereof, movable tray supporting means carried by said transverse member, link and eccentric means connecting said movable tray-supporting means to the lid of the trunk.

14. The combination with a trunk, of

links movably mounted upon each end of the trunk, each of said links being curved near one end, tray-supporting means movably secured to the upper ends of said links, and eccentric and link means connecting said tray-supporting means to the lid.

15. The combination with a trunk, of a tray supporting and lifting device secured at 'each end of said trunk, each of said tray supporting and lifting devices comprising a Z- shaped transverse supporting member, a pair of movable links secured to said Z-shaped member, each of said links curved near its opposite ends, parallel members connecting one end of each of the links of each device, a link provided with a bent portion intermediate its ends secured to the lid, and an eccentric carried by the rearmost link and said parallel members and connected with said link carried by the lid.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a supporting member provided with oppositely extending flanges, curved links pivotally secured to said supporting member, a tray-supporting member connecting said links, and lid-connecting means carried by said links and tray-supporting means.

17. A tray-supporting device, comprising a supp orting member provided with oppositelyextending flanges, movable tray-supporting means secured to said member, and lid-connecting means carried by said tray supporting means.

18. The combination with a trunk or the like provided with ends, of curved links carried by said trunk, and in planes parallel to said ends, tray-supportmg means connecting said links, and means connecting said links and tray-supporting means to the lid of the trunk.

19. A tray-supporting device, comprising links bent or curved toward each other, and tray-supporting means connecting said links near their upper end.

20. The combination with a trunk, of curved links carried by each end of said trunk, tray-supporting means connecting said links, a stop in the rear of one of said links of each pair, for limiting therearward movement of said links, and means connecting said links and tray-supporting means to the lid of the trunk.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEON LIEBERMAN.

Witnesses:

M. l/VIS'EBERG, TLA. CHANoELLoR. 

